Surgery
Audio Summaries

Already in the room: How endocrine surgery patients are using and embracing artificial intelligence in care

Sep 21, 2026

The authors aimed to explore how endocrine surgery patients utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools for medical information and their willingness to integrate AI into their surgical care. The survey revealed that a significant majority of patients have used AI for medical inquiries, with a strong interest in using a clinic-endorsed AI chatbot for various perioperative tasks, despite concerns about privacy and the lack of live provider interaction. This suggests a potential role for validated AI tools in enhancing patient care in the surgical context.

When ambulances are not enough: An interview-based needs assessment of governance and accountability gaps in prehospital emergency care in Hawassa, Ethiopia

Sep 21, 2026

This study aims to assess the governance and accountability gaps in prehospital emergency care in Hawassa, Ethiopia, by gathering insights from regional and facility-level leaders. Through qualitative interviews, the authors identify key barriers such as infrastructure constraints, communication gaps, and unclear ownership of emergency services, highlighting that these governance issues significantly hinder the effectiveness of prehospital care. The findings suggest that improving prehospital emergency services requires clearer institutional responsibilities and enhanced resource management.

External wrapping of the ascending aorta versus ascending aorta replacement: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Sep 21, 2026

The authors aimed to compare the outcomes of external wrapping of the ascending aorta with the standard ascending aorta replacement in patients with a moderately dilated ascending aorta. Their systematic review and meta-analysis found no significant differences in 30-day and midterm mortality between the two procedures, although external wrapping was associated with shorter cardiopulmonary bypass and hospital stays. Despite these findings, the authors concluded that ascending aorta replacement remains the gold standard due to limitations in the study's design and variability in patient outcomes.

"There is a target on you": Female neurosurgeons' and cardiothoracic surgeons' experiences of overt and covert discrimination in the workplace

Sep 19, 2026

This study investigates the experiences of female neurosurgeons and cardiothoracic surgeons regarding gender-based discrimination in their workplaces. Through interviews with 22 women in these fields, the authors identify themes of overt mistreatment, professional misrecognition, and exclusion rooted in masculine norms, highlighting how these factors create barriers to career advancement and retention. The findings suggest that addressing gender inequities in surgical specialties requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond recruitment to include cultural and structural changes within institutions.

A novel TNtdM staging system integrating tumor deposits into N staging and reweighting T staging for nonmetastatic colorectal cancer

Sep 18, 2026

The authors aimed to develop a new staging system, TNtdM, that integrates tumor deposits into N staging and reweights T staging for nonmetastatic colorectal cancer to improve prognostic accuracy. Their analysis of data from over 161,000 patients demonstrated that the TNtdM system offers superior risk stratification and better predicts cancer-specific survival compared to the existing American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system. This new framework could enhance clinical decision-making for patients with nonmetastatic colorectal cancer.

Single-stapled versus double-stapled colorectal anastomosis after anterior resection: Systematic review and meta-analysis of short-term and functional outcomes

Sep 18, 2026

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the surgical and functional outcomes of single-stapled versus double-stapled colorectal anastomosis following anterior rectal resection. The analysis of 2,537 patients revealed that while single-stapled anastomosis showed a nonsignificant reduction in risks of anastomotic leak and major postoperative complications, no significant differences were found between the two techniques regarding major low anterior resection syndrome. The authors suggest that single-stapled anastomosis may be a safe alternative, but further large-scale randomized trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Limiting coronary malperfusion in bioprosthetic aortic root replacement

Sep 16, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the incidence of coronary malperfusion following Freestyle aortic root replacement and to identify techniques that can limit this complication. They found a low incidence of coronary malperfusion at 1.3%, with improvements in surgical techniques contributing to reduced adverse outcomes. The study suggests that bioprosthetic aortic root replacement can be performed safely and effectively when specific techniques are employed.

Textbook outcome in surgery for chronic pancreatitis: An analysis of 622 patients

Sep 16, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the rate of textbook outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for chronic pancreatitis and identify predictors of failure to achieve these outcomes. In their analysis of 622 patients, they found that 74.1% achieved a textbook outcome, with factors such as prior endoscopic therapy and perioperative blood transfusions associated with failure, while female sex was linked to better outcomes. The study suggests that optimizing preoperative management could enhance surgical success rates in this patient population.

Pathologic diagnosis of thyroid nodules with preoperatively detected tumor protein 53 mutations: A tricenter series of 32 cases

Sep 15, 2026

This study investigates the risk of malignancy in thyroid nodules harboring tumor protein 53 (TP53) mutations, as previous literature suggested a high probability of malignancy associated with these mutations. Among 32 cases analyzed, 34% were diagnosed as benign or low-risk, while the risk of malignancy increased significantly to 100% when TP53 mutations were accompanied by other genetic alterations. The findings suggest that thyroid lobectomy may be a viable initial treatment option for many TP53-mutated nodules, rather than total thyroidectomy, depending on the clinical context.

Near-infrared autofluorescence parathyroid imaging during total thyroidectomy to reduce the rate of postoperative hypoparathyroidism: A prospective two-center randomized clinical trial with a comprehensive long-term follow-up

Sep 15, 2026

The authors aimed to determine whether near-infrared autofluorescence imaging during total thyroidectomy could reduce the rate of postoperative hypoparathyroidism compared to standard techniques. In a randomized trial involving 189 patients, they found that while the autofluorescence method improved parathyroid gland identification, it did not significantly lower hypoparathyroidism rates at 3 and 12 months post-surgery. Overall, the study suggests that although the imaging technique has benefits in identifying glands, it does not translate into a reduction in hypoparathyroidism complications.